DNP, Kent State University, 2024, College of Nursing

Lateral violence (LV) in healthcare remains a critical issue, impacting both staff well-being and patient care quality. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to raise awareness of LV and provide practical strategies for healthcare professionals to address it effectively. Educational sessions were developed to define LV, explore its causes and consequences, and teach Cognitive Rehearsal (CR) techniques to combat LV. The project also emphasized organizational policy reviews, scenario-based learning, and promoting a culture of safety through continuing education. The QI initiative was conducted in a 269-bed acute care hospital, with two educational sessions held: one virtual session open to all hospital employees and an in-person session with the Nursing Practice Council. In total, 33 healthcare professionals attended the sessions. Participants were provided with educational materials, including an infographic and a pocket card summarizing LV concepts and CR responses. Data collection involved interactive polls and post-session evaluations, with results indicating 70% of participants had experienced LV and 91% reported feeling more knowledgeable about its impact. Participants expressed increased confidence in recognizing and addressing LV, with 73% rating the sessions as excellent. The project's findings highlight the value of combining educational interventions with policy reinforcement to promote awareness and improve responses to LV in healthcare. Limitations of the project include small sample size, limited post-session feedback, and the short-term nature of follow-up, all of which restrict the ability to assess the long-term impact of the intervention. Despite these limitations, this project has demonstrated positive results in enhancing awareness and offering practical strategies to address LV. Future initiatives could expand participation, include long-term assessments, and incorporate simulation exercises to further strengthen staff competency in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Denise Pacholski DNP, APRN, NP-C (Committee Chair); Tracey Motter DNP, RN (Committee Member); Karen Mascolo DNP, RN (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Care; Nursing

Doctor of Education, Miami University, 2021, Educational Leadership

Longitudinal data on the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is sparse, and studies on educational interventions for children with POE are virtually inexistent. Parents raising children with POE were recruited from social media platforms: 56 parents participated in interviews and 116 responded to surveys. Questions focused on the child's development (including early delays, medical diagnoses, behavioral and mental health struggles, and educational performance) as well as on parents' experiences coordinating with schools and with medical and therapeutic providers. Quantitative results were analyzed in SPSS, and qualitative results were analyzed in the coding software Dedoose. Overall, parents of children with POE reported high rates of mental health, behavior, and neurological problems in their children. The children were more likely to be enrolled in therapies and more likely to have additional medical needs. Parents described their difficulties finding information, troubles advocating for their child, and issues coordinating with schools and health-care providers.

Committee: Lucian Szlizewski (Advisor); Angela Curl (Advisor); Joel Malin (Advisor) Subjects: Education; Educational Psychology; Epidemiology; Families and Family Life; Public Health; Public Health Education; Special Education